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(Urania) Helping
Author: Illyria
Date: 10-26-08 03:08
Urania had just stepped out of Building A to pour out the bucket of water she'd been using to clean the bathroom when she'd spotted Minerva not too far away, making her way to the house. The older woman had only taken a few steps before her eyes had rolled into the back of her head and she'd collapsed onto the hard, icy ground. Dropping the bucket, Urania had run to Minerva's side, fearing that she had yet another body to take to the Death Zone. She'd gotten to know many of the deceased in her time at Goen Bren, but she'd not known them as well as she did Professor McGonagall.
An initial assessment had told Urania that Minerva hadn't died but that she was gravely ill. Although she hadn't wanted to leave the older witch's side, not even for a minute, Urania had done so to get help. With Carys, Urania had carried Minerva inside and put her on a cot. Carys and Urania had both given up their blankets to provide more warmth for the ailing woman.
A day later, Minerva had barely stirred since losing consciousness. Carys had roused her a few times to feed her broth filched from the kitchen. Urania had taken it upon herself to do all of Minerva's chores as well as her own. So far, no one, not the warden nor any of the guards, had appeared to notice Minerva's absence. Carys and Urania hoped to keep it that way, though both knew that Minerva would fare much better under medical care. Unfortunately, they also knew that the likelihood of her getting any was slim. In fact, it seemed all the more likely that she'd been treated like a pack animal that was no longer useful. She'd be destroyed.
Urania was determined to nurse Minerva back to health, even though she knew she lacked the resources to truly help her friend. In a way, it seemed like it would all be up to Professor McGonagall. If she had the will to live, she would pull through. In the meantime, Urania would do all she could to make her as comfortable as possible.
Given A List
Author: Blossom
Date: 10-26-08 12:57
Standing just inside the wall that surrounds the St. Emrys grounds, Daria shivers almost violently while watching for Kody and Drake to enter through a nearby gate. As cold as it's been, Daria can't imagine why they'd ask her to meet them out here. They could at least hurry up. They're already a few minutes late and with the sun dropping, so is the tempurature.
To her relief Kody and Drake come through the gate not three seconds later. She goes to greet them then falls into step between them when Drake indicated to keep walking. Since walking gets the blood flowing and makes the body warmer, Daria is happy to oblige.
Kody passes a piece of parchment to Daria. "Here's that information you wanted for the Herbology course you said you'll be taking this coming term."
Not having asked Kody for anything regarding any of her classes, a puzzled Daria starts to ask what he's talking about. She's got her eyes scrunched up in the growing gloominess to see what's on the sheet. Daria ends up holding the parchment closer before she says anything.
The parchment contains a list of shops, some specifically wand shops, some not but ones that might carry wands from time to time.
Still puzzled, but at least realizing now that Kody's statement was for the benefit of anyone who might be within earshot, Daria says, "Thanks. I really appreciate this, Kody."
By this time they've reached one of the entrances into the part of St. Emrys that's above ground. Drake holds the door for Daria and Kody then says, "I need to get going. Have a professor I want to try catch and ask about a class he's got offered. I doubt he's around this early before start of term but I can at least leave him a note."
"I need to get going too," Kody says right after Drake's trotted off. "I'm meeting someone who's stayed on campus during break. We're having dinner."
Daria doesn't want to hear about Kody having a date with someone else. His having a social life that involves other girls shouldn't bother her in the least. She is the one who dropped him afterall. It does bother Daria though. Bothers her immensely. Yet another indicator that she screwed things up badly by breaking off the relationship.
Forcing a smile Daria says, "Have a good evening and thanks again for the Herbology information."
It's only when she's on her way back across campus to go to they nearby Wyrding Way that Daria finds a coin purse of money in one pocket, the side that Drake had been standing on. Between the money and the list, Daria deduces that they want her to buy a wand at each of the places on the list. She wishes they'd had her meet them someplace where they could have told her why.
Hopefully, she'll get that answer soon enough. With the list in mind now, Daria decides instead of going to the Wyrding Way, she'll go to one of the places on the list first. It's just a short apparition away.
Missing Persons
Author: Hermione Granger
Date: 10-27-08 01:40
Hermione carried a stack of plates into the dining room, where an elongated table stretched from one end of the room to the other. She set a plate before several chairs and then placed the rest of the stack somewhere in the middle of the table. Her next trip from the kitchen brought silverware to the table, followed by glasses and teacups.
"Sit, sit," Molly urged, entering the dining room with a large skillet that sizzled, having just come off the stove. The aroma of scrambled eggs, bacon, and ham wafted from the skillet and caused Hermione's mouth to water.
She sat as instructed, and several other people in the house crowded around the table. Molly served everyone from the skillet and then returned to the kitchen to fetch toast to go with the meal. Moments later, a pitcher of pumpkin juice and a pot of tea followed Molly into the room. She set down the plate of toast, lowered the pitcher and pot to the table, and then sat down next to Hermione.
Hermione chewed on a juicy piece of bacon and suddenly felt a pang of guilt. Harry, wherever he was, probably wasn't getting anything half as good. He'd been missing for over a month, and no one had any idea where he might be. That he was at a community seemed a definite possibility, but he didn't appear to be at The Mews, where the Order had planted Charlie Weasley. Hermione hoped that it wouldn't be long before more communities were discovered, so that Harry would be found and she could finally rest assured that he was alive and well.
If only Dumbledore were around to help them!
"You know, it's been a while since anyone has looked into Dumbledore's disappearance," Hermione remarked as the thought came to mind. There had been a time when certain members of the Order had actively looked for him, but perhaps the lack of leads and the discovery of the communities had stalled efforts to find him.
"Dumbledore would turn everything around," she went on, knowing him to be a force with whom even Minister Smythe-Jones would have to reckon.
There were mumurs of agreement around the table. But where could anyone look to find someone who had seemingly fallen off the face of the earth?
Honeymoon
Author: Ariella Beck
Date: 10-27-08 10:00
Ariella stretched out on a lounge chair on the deck of the Majesty, a cruise ship that sailed the waters of the Caribbean. She normally wouldn't have dared wear a bikini, but Bronwyn had insisted on it and had, indeed, removed all of the one-piece suits from Ariella's bags before sending her off on her honeymoon with Lawrence. He seemed quite keen on the dark seagreen two-piece, but Ariella couldn't help but feel a little exposed.
Following their beautiful beachfront wedding in Sydney, Ariella and Lawrence had spent the night in a hotel and then set off for Kingston, Jamaica the next morning. They did not rush to reach the island, as their cruise didn't depart until closer to sunset and they also had the time zone difference with which to contend. They spent a few hours sightseeing and shopping in Kingston, and then boarded the ship, which pulled away from port under the setting sun.
They'd been sailing ever since, with regular stops at the various islands in the Caribbean. The cruise had come as a complete surprise to Ariella, since Lawrence had kept his honeymoon plans his little secret. She'd never been on a cruise before, nor had she visited the Caribbean, but she couldn't complain about either part in Lawrence's plan. So far she was loving every minute of her honeymoon!
Lawrence sat on the edge of her lounge chair and leaned over to kiss her where her hair met her forehead. She smiled and lifted the designer sunglasses Bronwyn had given her so that they rested on her hair.
"Hi, you," she murmured, taking his hand in hers.
"Hi, you," he replied gently. "You look like you're enjoying yourself."
"I am, very much so!" Ariella answered enthusiastically. "I'll be sorry when we have to get off the ship for good. Won't be long before we have to return to the real world."
Lawrence nodded. "I know, but it's something we'll just have to do. Slug & Jiggers will no doubt need me, and you'll find something. I know you will. You're too good not to snatch up, and I should know!"
He leaned down to kiss her on the lips. She kissed him back and then scooted over on the lounge to give him room to lounge next to her. He made himself comfortable and draped his arm over her bare stomach. They relaxed against one another, staring out to sea and enjoying one another's company.
Digging A Trench
Author: Harry Potter
Date: 10-27-08 14:27
Already at work a couple of hours by the time the sun is fully above the horizon, a couple more hours after that Harry is ready for a break. He's been manually digging an irrigation trench and is only halfway done.
Harry stands to stretch his protesting back muscles when Hagrid comes into view. Reaching Harry, Hagrid asks, "Ready fer other section uh pipe, 'arry?"
"Yes, I think so, Hagrid."
Nodding, the giant turns and trots off, returning shortly, easily hefting the heavy length of pipe. Hagrid goes through the motions of preparing the end of pipe already in the ditch to be joined with the one he's brought over, then fits the two ends together. Harry helps with that part of the operation.
As they fit the ends together, Hagrid asks, "Yer sure Fang's awlroight, 'arry?"
Hagrid's asked the question at least once a day since Harry arrived. Having the same question asked over and over again might have been irritating if it were anyone else doing the asking. As he's done each time Hagrid's asked, Harry replies, "Yes, Fang is with Professor Dumbledore's brother."
"An' my brother?"
This question is always harder to hear because the reply upsets Hagrid.
"We think Grawp is fine, Hagrid."
"Oi worry 'bout 'im, yer know."
"Yes, I know and I'm sorry I can't give you a more definitive answer."
Pain flairs across Harry's back as a guard yells, "Less yapping, more work, you lazy Nons."
Hagrid's glare at the guard has the man moving back a few steps and while Hagrid could probably take the lone guard by himself, even if the man is armed with a wand and Hagrid is not, there's no avenue of escape - yet - and Hagrid would suffer eventually. Harry probably would too and others might as well.
Hagrid takes a moment to make sure the pipes pieces are firmly joined, asking as he does, "Yer awlroight?"
"Yeah," Harry says through a grimace. He'll have a welt for a few days where the guard used a whip-like jinx shooting from his wand to crack across Harry's back. Painful but not life threating and definately not anything the guard would consider bad enough to allow Harry to take a rest.
Under his breath so only Hagrid hears, Harry says, "Two rafts are nearly done. We'll be gone from here soon."
Giving the guard another menacing glare, Hagrid lumbers off, leaving Harry to think about those rafts and the escape plan that they hope to put into action very soon.
Freedom
Author: Travis
Date: 10-28-08 18:47
Indigo and Travis wait in the gathering shadows for a signal. With the sun nearly gone, the temperature is plummeting and the already cold air is becoming even more frigid. Despite the thick winter clothes they wear, Indi and Travis are becoming numb from the wait.
Inside the house where Lisi's being held, Minister Euphemia Smythe-Jones is paying a visit. Indi and Travis had wanted to take Lisi from the house as soon as they'd determined what charms and spells warded the house but Lisi insisted that the two House Elves, Orson and Darcy come with her. Trouble is, they are the property of the Minister and she could easily summon them to her and force them to tell where Lisi's gone and who helped her leave.
Lisi laid out a plan on how to free the two House Elves but it required waiting for one of the visits the Minister periodically made to the house. Usually Lisi is summoned to the Ministry of Magic and requested to put her Legilimens skills to use but every so often, Minister Smythe-Jones comes to this house she owns to make sure Lisi has nothing that the Minister considers worthy of complaint.
When Orson and Darcy began bustling around the house cleaning even though everything was already spotless, Lisi knew it meant that the Minister would be visiting sometime today. She expended energy to send Travis and Indi mental messages then made sure small articles of clothing were concealed in or on items the Minister tends to handle when she visits, such as the teacup she favors drinking from and which she always hands to Darcy for a refill. Hiding an article of clothing on the teacup was not easy but Travis had taken a short, filmy skirt and shrunken it down to a tiny size that if noticed on the bottom of the teacup, the Minister would think it nothing but a piece of tissue paper that's stuck to it.
After receiving Lisi's mental message, Travis and Indi went on standby, waiting for the next that would let them know the Minister had actually arrived. When the second message came, the siblings apparated to a spot with an excellent vantage point, then proceeded to wait for the Minister to leave. Problem is, the Minister is staying longer for some reason. Lisi's second message was to have come when the Minister was leaving but apparently something's made her stay, much to the chagrin of the now freezing Travis and Indi.
It's at least another fifteen minutes if not twenty when three figures, backlit by the light streaming out of tall windows, emerge from the house. Two have the distinct shape, complete with large ears, of House Elfs and the other is that of a petite female. Indi starts to move forward but stops when Travis stays him with a hand on his arm.
In a whisper she says, "Wait. Lisi's not let us know it's safe for us to reveal ourselves."
Giving a frustrated sigh, Indi nods. Seconds later they hear a male House Elf protesting, "But I don't want to be free, I tell you."
The female, Darcy, retorts, "Too bad. You are. Stop complaining."
Orson snaps, "Orson cannot believe Darcy did this."
Lisi cut him off. "Darcy didn't do it. I did."
"But Darcy knew what Miss was doing."
"Yes, Orson, she did. What do you prefer though, servitude to that woman or working for me?"
Indi, taking this conversation to mean all is clear, steps out of the shadows. "Lisi, we're here."
"I know. I have a read on you."
Travis steps around Indi, "Scary how you do that."
"Sorry it took so long," Lisi says, walking quickly to close the distance to her sister and brother.
Lisi reaches them and gives each a hug then Travis suggests, "Let's get out of here then you can fill us in on how things went."
Indi holds out a hand to each House Elf. "I know you can both apparate but to ensure we all end up the same place it's easier to do a side-along."
Lisi extends a hand to Travis, "Guess that leaves me with you. One of the first things I'm learning after this is how to apparate on my own!"
Two distinctive cracks fill the air almost simulataneously. A short time later, Travis is behind the wheel of a Muggle car with Indigo in the front seat beside her and Lisi and the House Elves in the back seat, driving into the Chunnel on their way to France. Indi and Travis will return tonight, but only after they perform the necessary task of doing a secret keeping spell in case the Minister decides either Travis or Indi aided their sister in leaving her custody.
Searching
Author: Ronan Eastwick
Date: 10-29-08 06:31
Enid spread a map over the stump of a large, felled tree and used a quill to mark her position. Ever since Caden had abandoned her en route to Happy Haven, she had scoured the countryside relentlessly for the mysterious site, always using the place Caden had left her as a starting point. So far, she hadn't had any luck in finding Happy Haven. She grew more and more frustrated with each passing day but vowed never to give up until she had found Ronan.
She concentrated so hard on the task at hand that she didn't really notice the cold. Over her robes she wore a pale yellow fur-lined cloak with a hood that kept her well-insulated. Soft white gloves covered her hands and light brown water-proof boots adorned her feet.
Although Enid had the sight, she had not once seen Ronan or his surroundings to get a better feel for where he might be. She could only rely on what Caden had revealed. She had, however, received a vision of Caden's fate and knew that he was no longer among the living, or undead, as it were. She'd grieved for her fallen son all over again, but had anticipated and prepared herself for his end, which had made dealing with the ordeal all the more easier.
She stowed the quill in the pocket of her cloak and withdrew her wand, which she placed onto the palm of her hand. "Point me," she said. The wand spun until it pointed north. Nodding, Enid looked from the wand to the map, the edges of which were rustling in the wind. She'd secured it to the stump with a weighting spell so that it wouldn't fly away from her. She had steadily gone from one compass point to the next in her efforts to locate Happy Haven and she had yet to accidentally retrace her steps.
Enid flicked her wand at the map. It rolled itself up immediately and then shrunk so that it fit into her pocket. She stuffed it next to the quill and then set off in a northeasterly direction, hoping she'd finally stumble upon Happy Haven.
Wearing Barny Bartlesby's Face
Author: Charlie Weasley
Date: 10-29-08 10:03
"Cor, is it cold enough for ya, Barny?" Silas Middleton jovially asks.
Charlie, wearing the face and body of Barny Bartlesby, has never understood how Silas always seems so upbeat in the depressing atmosphere of the Mews. Even those Mews employees who fervently believe in what the Minister is doing aren't as happy all the time as Silas Middleton.
Knowing that Silas doesn't expect an answer to the question, Charlie uses his head to indicate the direction of the staff break room. "I'm going to top off my tea. What me to bring you a cuppa?"
"One lump, dash of cream. Ta so much," Silas grins, moving towards a feeble patch of morning sun.
Charlie walks to the building, trying not to look too much at the Mews prisoners, some on their way to breakfast and others probably to whatever job assignments they have, because seeing them so ill equipped for this weather makes Charlie want to attempt to rescue them all right then. The only things keeping him from acting rashly are the thoughts of his family and of failure if he acts before the Order is there to launch an attack.
The Mews is small, with only thirty prisoners. Until mid-November when there was confirmation of another community, the Order nor the Resistance knew whether these thirty people were all that was left of those deemed to be Nons. More recently, word has reached them of yet another place, where the students from Hogwarts were sent. Charlie hopes that others, like Drucilla Eternal whose working undercover at the Ministry, will be able to get information on where all the other communities are located. If there are others and Charlie is positive there must be.
As Barny, Charlie has mapped out the Mews and the surrounding area, gathered information on each employee, made a list of all the prisoners (one of whom is Severus Snape), and provided the Order with such information as where the defenses are weakest and the work shift schedule of the guards and other staff.
As yet, Charlie has not revealed himself to Snape but will do that very soon. When he does, Charlie will tell Snape where he's hidden a stash of wands. It will be Snape's responsibility to get the wands distributed to other prisoners and to give them the details of the Order's plan to raid the Mews.
Charlie wants that plan to be put into motion now. The longer he has to pose as Barny, the greater his chances of someone realizing that this he is not Barny Bartlesby. The Order needs to strike before the opportunity is gone and Charlie is joins the rank of prisoner instead of spy and rescuer.
Sick
Author: Carys
Date: 10-30-08 02:54
Carys stole into the kitchens early before the breakfast crew, herself included, came around to fix the morning meal and pocketed what she could grab and hide on her meager person. Then, as quickly and light-footed as she'd entered the kitchens, she slipped out and raced across the slippery terrain to Building A. She shivered violently, even after the door closed behind her. Carys could never feel warm these days, even when indoors instead of outside with the elements.
She crossed the room to McGonagall's cot, where Urania, also having risen extra early, tucked in the corners of the threadbare blankets so that as little cold air as possible could reach the older witch's wrinkled skin.
Urania looked up at Carys' approach and shot her a thin smile. Carys emptied her pockets on the side of the cot... a browned banana, a dented apple, a sackful of oats (and weevils), and a small cup of water. She pulled off the lid of the cup and handed it to Urania.
"She should drink and eat now, before more people are awake." Carys didn't necessarily mean the other community members, although some were determined to tattle-tale to the guards and the warden in desperate and quite often futile attempts to gain leniency and favors. Mainly, Carys worried about the guards and the warden stumbling upon them... McGonagall ill and not having worked in days, Urania doing more than she'd been ordered to do, and Carys stealing from the kitchens. She feared for all three of them, though more for McGonagall and Urania than for herself. So far, the warden hadn't grown tired of Carys. As much as she loathed to think it, she still had a usefulness to him, though for how much longer she didn't know.
Urania gently roused Minerva. The older woman moaned, somewhere between sleep and wakefulness, and then opened her eyes. Urania helped her sit up while Carys removed the lid from the cup and then held it under Minerva's lips. Urania acceped the cup from Carys' hands, so that Carys could open the sack of oats. Minerva would have to eat them dry, but it was better than nothing.
Carys scooped up some oats and opened her palm to sift out the yellowish beetles that fed on the grains. Her nose was suddenly assailed by a strong whiff of stale oats. The smell coupled with the squirming beetles in her hand caused her stomach to turn. Before she could help herself, she buckled over and threw up on the floor.
Urania jumped up and knelt beside Carys. "Are you all right?"
"Ugh!" Carys mumbled, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand.
A few of their roommates had started to stir. Carys could feel herself getting sick again from the smell of her own vomit.
"I'll clean this up," Urania said, giving Carys a gentle push toward the direction of her cot. "Get some rest before you have to get up and go to work."
Carys nodded. She left the bag of grains with Urania, though what she'd held in her hands had scattered on the floor. What a waste! She crawled onto her cot and tried to calm her uneasy stomach.